Bus strikes: learn a lesson from Japan

As the national bus strike enters its fourth week with no sign of a settlement – and with millions of commuters still inconvenienced, it is interesting to see how striking bus drivers in Japan highlighted their grievances.

Drivers employed by the Ryobi Group in the Western Japanese region of Okayama embarked on their protest action after they and their company could not reach an agreement on job security, following increased competition from a rival offering lower fares.

They continued to drive their buses, but covered up the ticket machines with cloths or blankets and allowed commuters to ride for free.

While we cannot compare Japan to this country, the Okayama action is a reminder that in this country, it is always the poor who lose out … in this case bus commuters.

While we do not quibble with the right of drivers to strike – and we believe South African business is often very exploitative in nature – there will be no winners in this.

Apart from the commuters, the companies will lose millions, while drivers have lost income.

The two sides are a few percentage points apart in wage offers and demands. Let’s settle this and stop these “scorched earth” labour fights …

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